quick update

Hello!

I hope everyone had a very MERRY Christmas, Hanukkah, and any other holiday! I spent the last 2 or 3 days before Christmas watching my friend Jacob jump out of a plane in Taupo from 15,000 feet, and hiking the almost 20 kilometer Tongariro Crossing. I did not quite feel the Christmas spirit...as you can imagine w/ these crazy events. However, when I got back to Hastings and spent a Christmas on the beach by a bonfire listening to fellow friends play the guitar all night long, I have never felt more at home on a Christmas I will never forget :-) :-) :-)

The update is....right when apple thinning ended and everyone was out of work, I suddenly was called in for a job that lasted 2-3 days in a pack house for plums (this was sometimes last week). I was on board, but when I heard Jacob, Iris, Air, and Goong were headed off for the Tongariro Crossing because the weather was good and it was their last chance I felt I had to go. I talked to Cindy, and as quick as I was in for the job, I was out and packing my bags. 

I have been determined to do the Tongariro Crossing, and we did it...together, battling the mountains, and in pain...and after about 10 hours we made it. I saw some of the most unbelievable scenery ever, so I feel it was completely worth giving up this job for these few days, and having EXTREMELY sore muscles. 

I will write more later, but I just wanted to let everyone know all is well. I have been back in Hastings, and just had one of the most amazing Christmas’s on the beach with a big family of friends surrounding me, and tomorrow my friend Michael and I head to Wellington.

After almost 3 months, my last day in Hastings has finally arrived. I will miss it. In all seriousness, this place is like a home to me. I feel like when I walk in I am walking in to my own house, comfortable, with people I know, and a real room that is mine. This may be the last time it is like that here in NZ, but I am so lucky for the time I spent here and the people I met. This will always be one of the best experiences I have ever had :-)

Happy holidays, and happy new year! I will write and add more pictures when I can !